1 00:00:28,779 --> 00:00:31,313 Bear: A snow leopard. 2 00:00:41,208 --> 00:00:44,309 He hasn't eaten in days. 3 00:00:51,268 --> 00:00:54,970 This may be his last chance. 4 00:01:21,966 --> 00:01:28,170 (theme music plays). 5 00:01:54,248 --> 00:01:57,432 I'm two miles above sea level here, 6 00:01:57,535 --> 00:02:00,435 And it is brutal. 7 00:02:00,604 --> 00:02:04,940 Cold, desolate, hard to breathe. 8 00:02:06,277 --> 00:02:09,912 But, for some, this is home. 9 00:02:16,170 --> 00:02:18,704 Mountains are one of the most hostile environments 10 00:02:18,806 --> 00:02:21,373 On our planet. 11 00:02:26,380 --> 00:02:29,014 Now, with the rise in global temperatures, 12 00:02:29,116 --> 00:02:32,034 Life is even tougher. 13 00:02:33,437 --> 00:02:36,939 The relentless search for food. 14 00:02:38,776 --> 00:02:42,044 Intense competition. 15 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,748 Unpredictable weather. 16 00:03:03,350 --> 00:03:07,669 Mountain animals are pushed to the edge of existence. 17 00:03:19,516 --> 00:03:22,601 The arctic circle. 18 00:03:24,004 --> 00:03:28,140 Nowhere is the planet warming faster. 19 00:03:28,909 --> 00:03:32,144 Spring has arrived here early. 20 00:03:37,268 --> 00:03:40,035 And that's bad news for the barnacle geese 21 00:03:40,137 --> 00:03:43,605 That breed in these mountains. 22 00:03:47,144 --> 00:03:50,112 Many nests have failed... 23 00:03:52,383 --> 00:03:56,001 But not this one. 24 00:03:59,807 --> 00:04:01,540 Three chicks. 25 00:04:01,675 --> 00:04:04,543 They're lucky to have made it. 26 00:04:06,247 --> 00:04:08,647 Forced by the early spring, 27 00:04:08,749 --> 00:04:12,401 The parents rush to their migration. 28 00:04:13,404 --> 00:04:16,805 They arrived exhausted. 29 00:04:16,907 --> 00:04:21,209 The female sat on the eggs for 25 days. 30 00:04:26,150 --> 00:04:30,035 She's lost 30% of her body weight. 31 00:04:34,441 --> 00:04:36,308 But for this family, 32 00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:39,578 The greatest challenge is still to come. 33 00:04:43,767 --> 00:04:47,869 The parents chose to nest on this 400 foot pinnacle. 34 00:04:51,575 --> 00:04:55,177 It's the only way to evade predators. 35 00:05:00,768 --> 00:05:04,002 Just one problem... 36 00:05:04,104 --> 00:05:06,705 The grass they eat is a mile away, 37 00:05:06,807 --> 00:05:09,508 By the river. 38 00:05:09,610 --> 00:05:14,446 And barnacle geese can't feed their young in the nest. 39 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:19,935 If the chicks don't feed within 36 hours, 40 00:05:20,037 --> 00:05:23,105 They'll starve. 41 00:05:24,208 --> 00:05:28,443 And these chicks won't be able to fly for another month. 42 00:05:31,281 --> 00:05:35,534 The parents are living proof there is a solution. 43 00:05:37,438 --> 00:05:40,572 Just not an easy one. 44 00:05:52,803 --> 00:05:56,638 Dad leads the way. 45 00:06:02,646 --> 00:06:06,548 But the chicks are instinctively bonded to mum. 46 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:18,210 Where she goes they follow. 47 00:07:08,912 --> 00:07:14,065 (peeping). 48 00:07:14,184 --> 00:07:18,203 Incredibly, it survived. 49 00:07:20,808 --> 00:07:23,842 But it's stunned. 50 00:07:23,944 --> 00:07:27,679 And now dangerously exposed. 51 00:07:51,505 --> 00:07:58,343 (honking, cawing). 52 00:08:10,174 --> 00:08:12,407 One chick gone. 53 00:08:12,509 --> 00:08:15,844 Now hope rests with the other two. 54 00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:26,271 The back of the spire is a shorter drop. 55 00:08:29,843 --> 00:08:33,778 But it's much harder to avoid the rocks. 56 00:08:41,738 --> 00:08:46,141 For this chick, there will be no escape. 57 00:08:50,180 --> 00:08:54,432 The third and last surviving chick. 58 00:09:27,267 --> 00:09:34,105 ♪ ♪ 59 00:10:06,873 --> 00:10:11,109 The snow cushions the impact, but offers no grip. 60 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:29,678 (honking). 61 00:10:56,306 --> 00:11:00,275 Only around 50% of chicks hatched on these cliffs 62 00:11:00,444 --> 00:11:03,912 Make it through the first month. 63 00:11:07,801 --> 00:11:11,469 With the seasons increasingly unpredictable, 64 00:11:11,788 --> 00:11:15,607 Fewer chicks will survive. 65 00:11:18,645 --> 00:11:24,199 But this chick, at least, has defied the odds. 66 00:11:30,140 --> 00:11:33,341 A changing climate is affecting life in mountains 67 00:11:33,443 --> 00:11:36,478 Across the world. 68 00:11:42,736 --> 00:11:44,869 Late winter. 69 00:11:44,971 --> 00:11:49,307 The average temperature here is rising a degree every decade. 70 00:12:00,170 --> 00:12:03,204 Bad news for a snow leopard. 71 00:12:05,542 --> 00:12:08,276 Thick fur enables him to withstand temperatures 72 00:12:08,378 --> 00:12:11,546 Of -20 fahrenheit. 73 00:12:16,770 --> 00:12:20,338 But today, it's 66. 74 00:12:22,042 --> 00:12:25,243 To find enough food, he must patrol a territory 75 00:12:25,345 --> 00:12:28,713 Of 80 square miles. 76 00:12:33,003 --> 00:12:37,839 Dry barren slopes don't support much prey. 77 00:12:45,482 --> 00:12:48,800 It can be more than a week between meals. 78 00:12:59,045 --> 00:13:01,646 He must make a kill, 79 00:13:06,436 --> 00:13:08,603 Or starve. 80 00:13:22,219 --> 00:13:25,570 Bear: 16,000 feet up in the himalayas, 81 00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:29,340 A desperately hungry snow leopard. 82 00:13:31,945 --> 00:13:35,814 His best opportunity in days is within sight. 83 00:13:37,567 --> 00:13:40,368 Blue sheep. 84 00:13:40,837 --> 00:13:44,339 In this heat, he can't run far. 85 00:13:45,675 --> 00:13:48,676 He needs to close the gap. 86 00:14:08,348 --> 00:14:12,534 His camouflage helps. 87 00:14:12,836 --> 00:14:17,672 But with so little cover, it's hard to get close enough. 88 00:14:30,570 --> 00:14:33,838 He ran too early. 89 00:14:33,940 --> 00:14:37,842 And it's too hot to give chase. 90 00:14:39,746 --> 00:14:41,679 Like all who live here, 91 00:14:41,781 --> 00:14:45,633 His fortunes are linked to the mountain climate. 92 00:14:47,938 --> 00:14:51,706 And even small changes can have dramatic consequences. 93 00:15:08,008 --> 00:15:10,742 Here in africa, rising temperatures 94 00:15:10,844 --> 00:15:14,445 Are forcing mountain life ever higher. 95 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:28,343 An army of gelada monkeys is gathering. 96 00:15:35,001 --> 00:15:38,303 They're all after one thing. 97 00:15:39,639 --> 00:15:44,008 But to find it, they must climb higher and higher. 98 00:15:48,348 --> 00:15:51,833 Their numbers grow to 1200 strong. 99 00:15:52,302 --> 00:15:56,437 One of the largest gatherings of monkeys on the planet. 100 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:08,967 At 10,000 feet, this is what they're after. 101 00:16:11,304 --> 00:16:12,704 Grass. 102 00:16:12,806 --> 00:16:15,873 It's almost all they eat. 103 00:16:18,912 --> 00:16:23,047 But so many monkeys in such a small area means trouble. 104 00:16:31,408 --> 00:16:34,759 Especially for this old male. 105 00:16:39,416 --> 00:16:43,234 He needs a lot of energy to defend his family. 106 00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:49,240 Ten females and 12 youngsters. 107 00:16:54,547 --> 00:16:57,315 But you don't get much from grass. 108 00:16:57,417 --> 00:17:00,868 He has to spend ten hours a day feeding. 109 00:17:06,209 --> 00:17:10,812 And today he's gonna need all the energy he can get. 110 00:17:17,570 --> 00:17:20,204 Bachelor males. 111 00:17:20,306 --> 00:17:21,939 Outcasts. 112 00:17:22,042 --> 00:17:25,209 Forced to the edge of society. 113 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:33,367 Any one of them would be happy to take down the old male and 114 00:17:33,470 --> 00:17:36,804 Become the new family leader. 115 00:17:47,650 --> 00:17:51,903 To hold onto power, the old male must prove his strength, 116 00:17:52,639 --> 00:17:56,407 Both to the bachelors and his females. 117 00:18:03,216 --> 00:18:07,201 He challenges them to chase him. 118 00:18:15,345 --> 00:18:21,532 (barking, yelling). 119 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:27,672 But no one dares to attack. 120 00:18:28,041 --> 00:18:31,476 His show of force has worked. 121 00:18:33,213 --> 00:18:36,180 For now. 122 00:18:38,217 --> 00:18:40,735 The old male has little time to refuel 123 00:18:40,837 --> 00:18:44,105 Before the herd moves on. 124 00:18:54,017 --> 00:18:57,001 The bachelors are back. 125 00:18:59,772 --> 00:19:03,441 (barking, yelling). 126 00:19:05,745 --> 00:19:07,512 At this high altitude, 127 00:19:07,614 --> 00:19:10,681 Each confrontation takes more energy. 128 00:19:13,002 --> 00:19:17,738 A relentless cycle of moving, feeding and fighting. 129 00:19:22,946 --> 00:19:27,582 Moving, feeding, fighting. 130 00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:35,606 By late afternoon, the old male is exhausted. 131 00:19:51,324 --> 00:19:54,942 The strongest bachelor, 45 pounds of muscle, 132 00:19:55,044 --> 00:19:58,346 With energy to burn. 133 00:20:13,780 --> 00:20:16,714 He's the most serious challenger yet, 134 00:20:17,350 --> 00:20:19,901 And the old male knows it. 135 00:20:30,813 --> 00:20:34,081 Bear: Two male gelada monkeys fight for supremacy. 136 00:20:35,835 --> 00:20:39,036 A dominant male and a younger bachelor. 137 00:20:42,742 --> 00:20:46,944 One against one the bachelor is stronger. 138 00:20:55,905 --> 00:20:59,073 The old male won't last much longer. 139 00:21:01,778 --> 00:21:05,446 At least not alone. 140 00:21:06,983 --> 00:21:09,166 His females are loyal. 141 00:21:09,269 --> 00:21:12,603 They won't give up on their protector yet. 142 00:21:18,811 --> 00:21:22,580 This united force is overwhelming. 143 00:21:31,708 --> 00:21:35,576 The old male is victorious. 144 00:21:36,646 --> 00:21:39,080 But it's tough at the top. 145 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:51,609 As the climate warms and the grass they depend on retreats higher, 146 00:21:51,978 --> 00:21:55,780 Their battle for survival will only intensify. 147 00:22:12,615 --> 00:22:15,900 In the heat of mid-summer, mountain goats seek out 148 00:22:16,002 --> 00:22:19,437 Cooler temperatures on the high ridges. 149 00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:27,878 This female is a natural mountaineer. 150 00:22:28,381 --> 00:22:31,866 She can easily access the best grazing, 151 00:22:31,968 --> 00:22:34,802 Even with a kid in tow. 152 00:22:37,707 --> 00:22:40,174 But there's one thing they both need that's 153 00:22:40,276 --> 00:22:43,377 Far harder to reach. 154 00:22:45,681 --> 00:22:48,099 Today, they must leave the ridge and descend 155 00:22:48,201 --> 00:22:51,168 Into the heat of the valley. 156 00:22:55,208 --> 00:22:59,510 For the little one, this is a dangerous journey. 157 00:23:01,914 --> 00:23:05,232 With the mercury hitting 100 degrees fahrenheit, 158 00:23:05,334 --> 00:23:08,836 This is the hottest summer on record. 159 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:16,143 After a winter of heavy snow, 160 00:23:16,245 --> 00:23:19,447 This means more meltwater than ever. 161 00:23:27,106 --> 00:23:30,441 Mum's made this journey before, 162 00:23:30,710 --> 00:23:35,112 But some rivers are at their highest level in 100 years. 163 00:24:04,811 --> 00:24:11,298 ♪ ♪ 164 00:24:20,510 --> 00:24:23,010 Their goal is in sight. 165 00:24:23,112 --> 00:24:26,313 Just one more river to cross. 166 00:24:27,250 --> 00:24:30,835 But it's the deepest and widest yet. 167 00:24:51,841 --> 00:24:55,075 The current is too strong for little legs. 168 00:25:29,745 --> 00:25:33,581 And this is what they've risked their lives for. 169 00:25:35,167 --> 00:25:38,736 A salt lick. 170 00:25:39,572 --> 00:25:43,641 These goats crave sodium, an essential mineral lacking 171 00:25:43,743 --> 00:25:46,277 In their mountain diet. 172 00:25:53,970 --> 00:25:57,638 Summer in the mountains is short. 173 00:25:58,541 --> 00:26:02,076 Harder times are coming. 174 00:26:11,470 --> 00:26:13,804 Temperatures plummet. 175 00:26:16,776 --> 00:26:19,076 Days shorten. 176 00:26:21,981 --> 00:26:24,548 Winter is here. 177 00:26:30,940 --> 00:26:34,241 But the hunt for food must continue. 178 00:26:43,936 --> 00:26:47,538 Heavy snow on higher ridges has forced these ibex 179 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,708 Down into the valley. 180 00:26:57,617 --> 00:26:59,433 A cold winter can be a blessing for 181 00:26:59,535 --> 00:27:02,670 A hungry snow leopard. 182 00:27:05,374 --> 00:27:08,542 He's less likely to overheat. 183 00:27:12,214 --> 00:27:15,833 But against the white, he's visible for miles. 184 00:27:24,510 --> 00:27:28,012 He must rely on stealth. 185 00:27:30,716 --> 00:27:33,867 Not easy in such deep snow. 186 00:27:48,868 --> 00:27:55,272 ♪ ♪ 187 00:28:18,948 --> 00:28:21,515 The distance was too great. 188 00:28:21,617 --> 00:28:24,768 The ibex too fast. 189 00:28:27,273 --> 00:28:31,241 Now all the animals in the valley know he's here. 190 00:28:31,911 --> 00:28:35,913 And he's burnt precious energy. 191 00:28:39,769 --> 00:28:42,536 These are desperate times. 192 00:28:43,005 --> 00:28:45,139 If he's to see winter through, 193 00:28:45,241 --> 00:28:48,509 He may have to take bigger risks. 194 00:28:55,267 --> 00:28:58,018 Throughout the mountains of the northern hemisphere, 195 00:28:58,104 --> 00:29:01,138 Winter's grip is tightening. 196 00:29:03,743 --> 00:29:07,311 Animals must make the most of any last opportunity before 197 00:29:07,413 --> 00:29:11,315 Conditions drive them to take shelter. 198 00:29:14,837 --> 00:29:18,672 Far above, planetary forces are on a collision course. 199 00:29:20,509 --> 00:29:22,910 A river of air, the jet stream, 200 00:29:23,012 --> 00:29:26,246 Flows around the north pole. 201 00:29:26,348 --> 00:29:31,168 At its center, sits a mass of cold arctic air. 202 00:29:32,972 --> 00:29:37,307 But now a warming upper atmosphere is slowing the jet stream. 203 00:29:37,409 --> 00:29:41,111 And the cold air can escape. 204 00:29:45,668 --> 00:29:47,968 By the time it hits the rockies, 205 00:29:48,070 --> 00:29:51,505 It's grown into a mega storm. 206 00:29:52,107 --> 00:29:55,142 Freezing everything in its path. 207 00:30:08,207 --> 00:30:11,475 Bear: In the depths of winter, extreme storms rage across 208 00:30:11,577 --> 00:30:14,278 Canada and the usa. 209 00:30:14,980 --> 00:30:16,713 Freezing temperatures, 210 00:30:16,816 --> 00:30:20,334 Wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. 211 00:30:21,837 --> 00:30:26,006 Now, even the toughest animals are at their limit of survival. 212 00:30:29,512 --> 00:30:36,166 (wind whistling). 213 00:30:50,416 --> 00:30:54,067 The storms may have passed, but there is hidden danger 214 00:30:54,169 --> 00:30:56,837 In this landscape. 215 00:31:06,048 --> 00:31:09,700 Winter storms have buried this area of british columbia 216 00:31:09,802 --> 00:31:13,503 Under nearly 40 feet of snow. 217 00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:18,408 But if temperatures rise above freezing, 218 00:31:19,078 --> 00:31:22,079 It can have lethal consequences. 219 00:31:37,079 --> 00:31:40,314 On the high ridges, wind driven snow has created 220 00:31:40,416 --> 00:31:44,701 Huge overhangs, some 25 feet thick. 221 00:31:50,075 --> 00:31:53,310 The longer the temperatures stay above freezing, 222 00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:56,980 The more the snow pack weakens. 223 00:32:12,147 --> 00:32:18,735 (crashing). 224 00:32:53,105 --> 00:32:56,773 Soon, tens of thousands of tons of snow are traveling 225 00:32:56,875 --> 00:33:00,227 Up to 80 miles an hour. 226 00:33:09,338 --> 00:33:12,773 As weather patterns change, avalanches across the world 227 00:33:12,875 --> 00:33:15,642 Are growing bigger. 228 00:33:53,615 --> 00:33:57,234 The more erratic and severe mountain winters become, 229 00:33:57,336 --> 00:34:01,271 The more victims they'll claim. 230 00:34:11,283 --> 00:34:15,102 But some are still succeeding in this harsh world. 231 00:34:19,775 --> 00:34:23,810 Golden eagles live in almost every mountain range in the 232 00:34:23,912 --> 00:34:26,680 Northern hemisphere. 233 00:34:45,467 --> 00:34:49,136 They endure the alpine winter by using the brutal conditions 234 00:34:49,238 --> 00:34:52,205 To their advantage. 235 00:34:59,515 --> 00:35:03,800 Like all golden eagles, this female has a special sensory 236 00:35:03,902 --> 00:35:07,571 Organ that detects change in air pressure, 237 00:35:08,006 --> 00:35:11,908 Allowing her to locate air currents rising off ridges. 238 00:35:17,316 --> 00:35:22,502 With her seven foot wingspan, she can climb to over 11,000 feet. 239 00:35:26,642 --> 00:35:32,479 Then, to get to the next peak, she folds her wings and dives. 240 00:35:48,197 --> 00:35:52,082 With a top speed of 150 miles per hour, 241 00:35:52,151 --> 00:35:55,902 She's one of the fastest animals on the planet. 242 00:36:06,048 --> 00:36:10,133 It looks effortless, and it needs to be. 243 00:36:13,472 --> 00:36:16,973 A golden eagle may cover 100 miles a day scouring 244 00:36:17,075 --> 00:36:20,744 The slopes for any opportunity. 245 00:36:33,375 --> 00:36:36,910 A flock of ravens is a good sign. 246 00:36:40,716 --> 00:36:45,335 (cawing). 247 00:36:50,909 --> 00:36:53,944 During winter, golden eagles are forced to scavenge 248 00:36:54,046 --> 00:36:56,713 90% of their food. 249 00:37:07,943 --> 00:37:13,880 If finding food is hard, keeping it is even harder. 250 00:37:30,115 --> 00:37:33,733 A carcass like this attracts a lot of attention. 251 00:38:01,280 --> 00:38:04,848 This male is powerful. 252 00:38:05,384 --> 00:38:08,468 And eagles don't share. 253 00:38:22,868 --> 00:38:25,502 Another brutal storm. 254 00:38:25,604 --> 00:38:29,172 This could be the last chance to feed for days. 255 00:38:30,542 --> 00:38:33,376 Starvation is a serious threat. 256 00:38:33,478 --> 00:38:37,113 Only a quarter of young eagles will survive to reach maturity. 257 00:38:38,350 --> 00:38:41,801 Will it be him or her? 258 00:38:55,217 --> 00:38:59,336 Attacking from the air gives her the advantage. 259 00:39:16,738 --> 00:39:20,206 But her victory is short lived. 260 00:39:26,048 --> 00:39:29,699 Now both eagles may be fighting for their lives. 261 00:39:39,144 --> 00:39:42,212 Bear: In the peaks of norway, two golden eagles are fighting 262 00:39:42,314 --> 00:39:44,614 For a chance to feed. 263 00:39:47,269 --> 00:39:50,370 Both are desperate. 264 00:39:56,778 --> 00:39:59,913 The female stands her ground. 265 00:40:02,768 --> 00:40:06,503 But the male is not done. 266 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:13,777 (screaming). 267 00:40:25,107 --> 00:40:28,341 Each eagle is armed with two inch talons. 268 00:40:29,244 --> 00:40:32,245 These fights can be deadly. 269 00:40:44,743 --> 00:40:47,877 Her kick was decisive. 270 00:40:50,182 --> 00:40:52,832 What's left of the frozen flesh may be just enough 271 00:40:52,934 --> 00:40:56,069 To keep her alive. 272 00:41:02,344 --> 00:41:07,313 But this harsh winter will drive others to even greater extremes. 273 00:41:27,135 --> 00:41:31,821 This snow leopard's relentless search for food continues. 274 00:41:37,846 --> 00:41:40,880 Following the scent of prey has drawn him 275 00:41:40,982 --> 00:41:43,766 To the edge of his territory, 276 00:41:48,006 --> 00:41:51,407 And into a steep ravine. 277 00:42:00,068 --> 00:42:02,835 Blue sheep. 278 00:42:09,711 --> 00:42:13,379 The broken rock provides good cover. 279 00:42:18,203 --> 00:42:22,705 But this is difficult terrain. 280 00:42:47,882 --> 00:42:53,303 Now, he must let them come to him. 281 00:43:32,944 --> 00:43:39,282 ♪ ♪ 282 00:44:08,847 --> 00:44:13,333 A 200 foot fall, never letting go. 283 00:44:27,048 --> 00:44:31,300 Finally, the snow leopard can eat his fill. 284 00:44:46,101 --> 00:44:50,136 But success has come at huge cost. 285 00:44:56,378 --> 00:44:59,145 He's badly injured. 286 00:45:04,235 --> 00:45:08,304 For a hunter that lives by its agility, 287 00:45:08,406 --> 00:45:11,541 This could be fatal. 288 00:45:26,908 --> 00:45:30,843 The challenges of survival up here at altitude is so extreme 289 00:45:30,945 --> 00:45:35,415 That it seems near impossible that anything can make it. 290 00:45:35,517 --> 00:45:40,903 But the resilience of mountain animals is near miraculous. 291 00:45:49,180 --> 00:45:53,499 Incredibly, just three days later, 292 00:45:56,438 --> 00:46:01,174 We filmed the same snow leopard back on its feet 293 00:46:01,676 --> 00:46:04,577 Hunting again. 294 00:46:08,917 --> 00:46:11,901 It takes true grit to survive in these desolate, 295 00:46:12,003 --> 00:46:14,070 Unforgiving landscapes. 296 00:46:14,172 --> 00:46:17,573 But, somehow animals still manage to triumph, 297 00:46:17,675 --> 00:46:21,377 To find shelter, food and, perhaps, 298 00:46:21,479 --> 00:46:25,114 Most importantly, each other. 299 00:46:34,642 --> 00:46:37,743 Against all odds, snow leopards are still breeding 300 00:46:37,846 --> 00:46:41,147 Here in the himalayas. 301 00:46:43,168 --> 00:46:46,235 They are living proof of mountain animals amazing 302 00:46:46,337 --> 00:46:49,906 Ability to succeed in a changing world. 303 00:46:56,848 --> 00:47:00,666 Their offspring will be the hope for the future. 304 00:47:18,703 --> 00:47:19,986 Captioned by cotter captioning services.